Beverage dispensing device with graphical representation of customized beverage selection

• US 10,222,936 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2014
• Issued: 03/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PepsiCo Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PepsiCo Incorporated
• Inventors: Deo, Indrani, Jersey, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Casillas, Roland J
• Application Number:
  US14/341,225
• Publication Number:
  US 20140337795A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,684 Days
• Field of Search: 715771
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0027 control of the amount of one component, the amount of the other components(s) being dependent on that control
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0032 using flow-rate sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0034 for controlling the amount of each component
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0041 Fully automated cocktail bars, i.e. apparatuses combining the use of packaged beverages, pre-mix and post-mix dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/1234 to determine the total amount
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00089 Remote control means, e.g. by electromagnetic signals
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 6/04 using stationary unheated wet elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 6/043 with self-sucking action, e.g. wicks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/065 for drink preparation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/00 Details other than those peculiar to special kinds or types of apparatus coin inlet arrangements G07F1/00; coin-actuated mechanisms, interlocks G07F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/002 Vending machines being part of a centrally controlled network of vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/07 Carbonators

Abstract

Systems and methods for dispensing compositions, such as beverages, are provided. A beverage dispenser may be configured to receive input corresponding to a selection of a beverage, and in response, a graphical representation of the beverage at a display device. The beverage dispenser may receive additional input corresponding to an adjustment of an amount of an ingredient of the selected beverage, and in response, the graphical representation of the beverage may be updated. The graphical representation of the beverage may include graphics depicting the beverage container, the volume of liquid in the beverage container, and the adjusted ingredient.

Claims

1. A method of displaying a beverage selection at a beverage dispensing device comprising:

receiving, at a beverage dispensing device, a first user input corresponding to a selection of a beverage having a first ingredient and a second ingredient;

displaying, at a display device of the beverage dispensing device, a graphical representation of the beverage including a first concentration of the first ingredient and an amount of the second ingredient;

receiving, at the beverage dispensing device, a second user input corresponding to an adjustment of the first concentration of the first ingredient of the beverage;

modifying the graphical representation of the beverage based on the second user input to provide an indication of the adjusted first ingredient;

comparing the received modification to a taste profile of the selected beverage and determining, based on the taste profile, the amount of the second ingredient needed to ensure that the beverage conforms to the taste profile;

updating automatically the amount of the second ingredient of the beverage based on the adjustment of the first concentration of the first ingredient and the amount of the second ingredient needed to ensure that the beverage conforms to the taste profile;

updating the graphical representation of the beverage based on the update to the amount of the second ingredient;

receiving, at the beverage dispensing device, a dispense user input to dispense the beverage including the adjusted first concentration of the first ingredient and the automatically adjusted amount of the second ingredient; and

dispensing the beverage including the adjusted first concentration of the first ingredient and the automatically adjusted amount of the second ingredient.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the graphical representation of the beverage comprises i) a first graphic depicting a beverage container, ii) a second graphic depicting a volume of liquid within the beverage container, and iii) a third graphic depicting the first ingredient.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein:

the third graphic depicting the first ingredient comprises an indication of at least one measurement associated with the first ingredient; and

the at least one measurement comprises at least one of an

amount of calories of the first ingredient,

a weight of the first ingredient,

a volume of the first ingredient, and a

percentage of the first ingredient.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

receiving, at the beverage dispensing device, a third user input corresponding to a selection of a measurement associated with the first ingredient; and

updating the graphical representation of the beverage based on the third user input such that the third graphic depicting the first ingredient comprises an indication of the measurement selected.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein:

the first ingredient is sugar.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying, at the display device, one or more selectable beverage class indicators;

receiving, at the beverage dispensing device, a third user input corresponding to a selection of one of the selectable beverage class indicators; and

displaying, at the display device, one or more selectable beverage indicators based on the selection of one of the selectable beverage class indicators.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein:

the one or more selectable beverage class indicators include at least one of

i) a first beverage class indicator identifying a beverage brand,

ii) a second beverage class indicator identifying a beverage type,

iii) a third beverage class indicator identifying a beverage ingredient, and iv) a fourth beverage class indicator identifying a promotional event.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein:

the one or more selectable beverage class indicators further include at least one of

v) a fifth beverage class indicator that, when selected, causes the one or more selectable beverage indicators to include a selectable beverage indicator associated with a favorite beverage of a user, and

vi) a sixth beverage class indicator that, when selected, causes the one or more selectable beverage indicators to include a selectable beverage indicator associated with a beverage previously purchased by the user.

9. A beverage dispensing device comprising:

an input device configured to receive a first user input corresponding to a selection of a beverage and second user input corresponding to an adjustment of a first concentration of a first ingredient of the beverage;

a display device configured to display a graphical representation of the beverage including the first concentration of the first ingredient;

memory storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed, cause the display device to;

modify the graphical representation of the beverage based on the second user input to provide an indication of the adjusted first ingredient;

compare the received modification to a taste profile of the selected beverage;

determine, based on the taste profile, an amount of a second ingredient to conform the beverage to the taste profile;

update automatically the amount of the second ingredient of the beverage based on the adjustment of the first concentration of the first ingredient and the amount of the second ingredient needed to ensure that the beverage conforms to the taste profile;

update the graphical representation of the beverage based on the update to the amount of the second ingredient;

provide a color-coded assessment of the nutritional values of the resulting beverage based on a comparison of the nutritional values of the resulting beverage and subjective measurements stored in the memory; and

a dispensing head to dispense the beverage including the adjusted first concentration of the first ingredient and the automatically adjusted amount of the second ingredient.

10. The beverage dispensing device of claim 9 wherein:

the graphical representation of the beverage comprises i) a first graphic depicting a beverage container, ii) a second graphic depicting a volume of liquid within the beverage container, iii) a third graphic depicting the first ingredient, and iv) a fourth graphic depicting the second ingredient.

11. The beverage dispensing device of claim 10 wherein:

the third graphic depicting the first ingredient comprises an indication of at least one measurement associated with the ingredient; and

the at least one measurement comprises at least one of;

an amount of calories of the first ingredient,

a weight of the first ingredient,

a volume of the first ingredient, and

a percentage of the first ingredient.

12. The beverage dispensing device of claim 11 wherein:

the input device is further configured to receive a third input corresponding to a selection of a measurement associated with the first ingredient; and

the instructions, when executed, further cause the display device to update the graphical representation of the beverage based on the third user input such that the third graphic depicting the first ingredient comprises an indication of the measurement selected.

13. The beverage dispensing device of claim 10, wherein the ingredient is sugar.

14. The beverage dispensing device of claim 9 wherein:

the instructions, when executed, further cause the display device to;

display one or more selectable beverage class indicators, and

display one or more selectable beverage indicators based on a third user input received at the input device that corresponds to a selection of one of the selectable beverage indicators.

15. The beverage dispensing device of claim 14 wherein:

the one or more selectable beverage class indicators include at least one of

i) a first beverage class indicator identifying a beverage brand,

ii) a second beverage class indicator identifying a beverage type,

iii) a third beverage class indicator identifying a beverage ingredient, and

iv) a fourth beverage class indicator identifying a promotional event.

16. The beverage dispensing device of claim 15 wherein:

the one or more selectable beverage class indicators further include at least one of

v) a fifth beverage class indicator that, when selected, causes the one or more selectable beverage indicators to include a selectable beverage indicator associated with a favorite beverage of a user, and

vi) a sixth beverage class indicator that, when selected, causes the one or more selectable beverage indicator to include a selectable beverage indicator associated with a beverage previously purchased by the user.

17. The beverage dispensing device of claim 9 further comprising:

a touch screen device that comprises the input device and the display device.

18. Non-transitory computer-readable media having instructions that, when executed by a processor of a beverage dispensing device, cause the beverage dispensing device to:

receive, at an input device of the beverage dispensing device, a first user input corresponding to a selection of a beverage having a first ingredient and a second ingredient;

display, at a display device of the beverage dispensing device, a graphical representation of the beverage wherein the graphical representation comprises i) a first graphic depicting a beverage container, ii) a second graphic depicting a volume of liquid within the beverage container, and iii) a third graphic depicting the first ingredient of the beverage comprising an indication of a first concentration of the first ingredient;

receive, at the input device, a second user input corresponding to an adjustment of the first concentration of the first ingredient of the beverage;

modify the graphical representation of the beverage based on the second user input to provide an indication of the adjusted first ingredient;

compare the received modification to a taste profile of the selected beverage;

determine, based on the taste profile, an amount of a second ingredient to conform the beverage to the taste profile;

update automatically the amount of the second ingredient of the beverage based on the adjustment of the first concentration of the first ingredient and the amount of the second ingredient needed to ensure that the beverage conforms to the taste profile;

update the graphical representation of the beverage based on the update to the amount of the second ingredient;

receive, at the input device, a third user input corresponding to an adjustment of the automatically adjusted second ingredient;

modify the graphical representation of the beverage based on the third user input to provide an indication of the adjusted second ingredient;

receive, at the input device, a dispense user input to dispense the beverage including the adjusted first concentration of the first ingredient and the user adjusted amount of the second ingredient; and

dispense the beverage including the adjusted first concentration of the first ingredient and the user adjusted amount of the second ingredient.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 18 wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the beverage dispensing device to:

cycle through a plurality of ingredients of the beverage at the display device in response to additional user input received at the input device.